Support for survivors of child abuse in Scottish care homes

Victims of childhood abuse in Scotland’s residential care homes will be offered a package of support to reconcile with the past.

Under measures outlined by the Scottish government last week, all adult survivors will be allowed to speak about their experiences of abuse and gain acknowledgement through a truth and reconciliation forum.

The Scottish government decided to follow a truth and reconciliation model after survivors and organisations said that, for many victims, the acknowledgement of abuse was more beneficial than monetary compensation, said Shona Robinson, minister for public health.

Alongside this forum, the Scottish government is proposing to set up a national framework for advocacy, mediation and counselling to support adult victims of in-care abuse.

This proposal will receive funding after the government’s reference group, Survivor Scotland, and Scottish ministers have approved it.

Children’s minister Adam Ingran said: “The system let these young people down in the most terrible way and it would be inexcusable for us not to confront what happened. It’s now time for us to demonstrate our commitment through actions.”

The Scottish government also plans to review the legislation on public records on children in care and improve the current care system by focusing on staff training and development.

These announcements follow independent expert Tom Shaw’s review of historical abuse of children in residential care, published in November.